I'm a retired educator (teacher/principal) who moved from Northern California to Payson, Arizona in September, 2010.
This blog will chronicle my adventures as I explore a different ecosystem and build my new home.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Verde Canyon Railroad

Randy's mom is visiting from Asheville, North Carolina. She is 94 years old and quite remarkable. We all took a ride on the Verde Canyon railroad yesterday. The train runs from Clarkdale to Perkinsville and back.....into Arizona's other "Grand Canyon."


We were in one of the first class cars with comfortable couches and great viewing windows. We were greeted with a glass of champagne. There was a full-service bar and lots of appetizers.


All the cars have access to open-air cars for 360 degree views. There were knowledgable folks in the cars to point out the sights. Randy took lots of photos.


Two FP7 locomotives are the muscle that pulls the renovated passenger cars.


The historic route—between two national forests and adjacent to a national wilderness area—follows the upper Verde River, a lush riparian habitat blessed with astonishing beauty.


The train passes towering crimson pinnacles, ancient Indian ruins, a monocline fault and moves through a manmade 680 ft. tunnel.





35 eagles make this area their home. Best viewing time for them is in February and March. I am going to investigate hiking in this area!

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